Chase Heflin is a Cronkite/Arizona State University student assigned to cover Valley Vista High School for AZPrep365.com

SURPRISE—The stage was set as a pair of three-win  Division 6A foes, the Valley Vista Monsoon and the Boulder Creek Jaguars, participated in a hard-fought battle on Friday night. The game was dominated by defense and turnovers. The outcome did not favor the senior night-hosting Monsoon, as they were outlasted by the Jaguars 20-13.

The Monsoon defense forced a turnover on just the third play of the game. Outside linebacker Andrew Zacek recorded his first fumble recovery of the season. The home crowd was in an absolute frenzy, with the Valley Vista sideline following right behind it.

Unfortunately, the offense could not capitalize in plus-territory and failed to convert on fourth down. After a quick three-and-out from the Jaguar offense, Valley Vista possessed the ball with starting field position in enemy territory. As if it was a replay, the Valley Vista offense failed to record a first down and was forced to punt.

The following play, the Monsoon defense turned Boulder Creek over for the second time in a matter of five plays. This time it was inside linebacker Anthony Hernandez with an interception. In see-saw fashion, quarterback Adrian Crespin threw an interception of his own. The first quarter concluded with a Jaguars punt. It was a jam-packed first quarter that had seven possessions and three turnovers, but the score remained 0-0. "We were in their backyard all first quarter," Valley Vista coach Derek Wahlstrom said, "and did not seize the moment.”

The Monsoon offense finally showed up in the second quarter, completing an eight-play touchdown drive capped off by an Adrian Crespin touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Anthony Ordaz. The turnover woes continued for the Jaguar offense as they would begin their first second-quarter drive with another interception, this time by Roman Daoud.

With an almost identical sequence of plays from the first quarter, Valley Vista gave the ball right back with Crespin’s second interception. Boulder Creek had a chance to put some points on the board before halftime with a two-minute drill. The press man-to-man defensive philosophies were not working for the Monsoon defense as they were called for three pass interference calls in as many plays. This would help the Jaguars march down the field and tie the game up, 7-7, entering halftime. Even after giving up a late second-quarter touchdown, Wahlstrom said “I like where we are in this game.”

Valley Vista's special teams standout from week six, Michael James, began the second half with a 50-yard kickoff return to give his team a short field. After stalling in the red zone, the Monsoon field-goal attempt was blocked by the Jaguars, which the crowd was not happy with as they booed. Boulder Creek would then make its defense proud, completing a 90-yard drive to take a 14-7 lead.

 

Just as the Monsoon crowd were starting to get frustrated with their team, a spark of life returned. Blaise Nelson took the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown. His name was on full display as he showcased his blazing speed through the middle of the field. When asked about the play, Nelson said, “I just saw a hole and went.” With skepticism growing for his kicking team, coach Wahlstrom decided to go for a two-point conversion following the score. It failed, making the score,14-13, in Boulder Creek's favor.

In the fourth quarter the offenses began to flex their muscles, as each team had one long, sustained drive apiece. Both defenses began to fatigue, except for one player: Monsoon senior linebacker and emotional leader Brody Lindemann. Recording a game-high nine tackles, constantly picking his teammates heads up when they made a mistake, Lindemann was spotte after the game with a hammer. “This hammer represents bringing the hammer every single play on defense,” said Lindemann, which indeed he did.

Lindemann’s Valley Vista unit gave up a touchdown drive that took up over seven minutes of game time, leaving the Monsoon with a seven-point deficit with three minutes left. Valley Vista would march down the field bringing up a fourth down from the Jaguar 10-yard line. As the pass fell incomplete signifying the game was over, the hearts of parents and senior players dropped. After a long hard-fought game, the reality that they had played their last home game set in for the seniors. Coach Wahlstrom applauded his players, “You guys played your asses off, that’s all I could ask for as a coach.”

 

The Monsoon will try to end their season on a high note as they travel to Shadow Ridge next Friday.